In a major political realignment ahead of the 2027 elections, the former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami, has defected to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and secured its Gombe State governorship ticket.
Pantami, who had pulled out of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary on the eve of the vote, emerged as the PDP candidate via a voice affirmation process during Tuesday’s primary in Gombe.
Announcing the results, the chairman of the PDP electoral panel, Gregory Yenlong, declared Pantami the sole aspirant after he polled a total of 52,955 votes.
A breakdown of the figures showed Pantami secured 16,781 votes in Gombe North, 12,752 in Gombe Central, and 23,422 in Gombe South.
Following the presentation of the former minister to party stakeholders for formal affirmation, Sambo Sa’adu moved the motion for his adoption, which was seconded by Bulus Maikori.
Addressing party supporters after the primary, Pantami said he entered the race to serve the people of Gombe State.
If elected in 2027, Pantami pledged to deliver an administration anchored on fairness and justice.
The former minister is set to square off against Jamilu Gwamna, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, in the upcoming gubernatorial election.
Prior to his defection to the PDP, Pantami had strongly criticized the process that yielded Gwamna as the APC’s consensus choice.
Having initially demanded direct primaries, Pantami withdrew from the APC race on the eve of the exercise, citing a severe lack of transparency.
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